froy wrote:Ok SC than tell me why did they draw 10 and up in 96 and 97 and with Gowan from that point on without a triple bill they could not draw more than 2000 as a headliner.?
It's not rocket science.
1. In 1996, it was the first time the "classic lineup" (sand John of course) had been together since 1983/4. There was a novelty and excitement about that whole thing. That couldn't be sustained ... if you think so, you're delusional.
2. I noted it then and I'll say it again now: the crowds were NOTICEABLY thinner in 1997 for the GI 20th tour. There are different reasons you could assume (two summers in a row, similar setlist overall, etc.), but the bottom line is 97 didn't draw as well.
3. The music industry has changed BIG TIME since the mid-90s in all aspects from how albums are packaged, marketed, and sold to the live side of the house. Neither Styx NOR Dennis draws much more than 5000 often. I'm not saying they can't, but it's incredibly rare. If they do, it's some sort of outdoor event (where I'm sure they're compensated well). But as for indoor venues, both sides range from roughly 1000 - 5000 seat venues. Styx with Dennis wouldn't be much more in 2010.
A big part of the economy now is discretionary income. Not many people have it, or have as much. Triple bills and what not provide "value" for their entertainment dollar. I don't love them myself, but quite frankly, it's hard to pay $50 - $150/night for a show per person ... not including t-shirts, beer, parking, etc.
4. You're stuck in the past like it's 1983 - Styx music just isn't the mega draw it used to be. They're not the flavor of the day. Whether people want to admit it or not, they are a nostalgia band catering to an older audience (mainly ... yes, I know kids show up to both Styx and Dennis shows). That translates into SMALLER audiences. Outside of, say, Springsteen, AC/DC, and the Stones (among a select few), most bands of that era are playing smaller shows to increasingly smaller crowds. Styx isn't the only band who is experiencing it.
5. Styx with Dennis I still contend would not have lasted much into the 2000s since Dennis would not want to mount a touring schedule like Styx does now. Dennis is playing how often he wants.
6. I find it funny for all the bitching about Dennis we do, no one complains how John has been replaced. We all know that John died, but should Styx have quit and not done 1996? It's a two way street - you can't really bitch one way and not the other. A replacement is a replacement whether it's a deceased drummer, bass player who doesn't play every show, or a singer who parted from the band in a situation that divided a fan base.
7. If the GI/Po8 Fall tour isn't selling well (and I have no hard facts, but you can go onto Ticketmaster and get good seats ... take that for what it's worth), I think it is just proof that we die hards make up a VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of their fan base. Period. Styx finally does something (and yes, bitch that Dennis isn't there if you're so inclined) for us, and the numbers may show that once and for all, WE DON'T MATTER.
8. I've been to many Styx shows sans Dennis. Most of the crowd didn't know Dennis wasn't there, and quite frankly, didn't care. They were a bit surprised they wouldn't hear "Babe" or "The Best of TImes", but at the end of the day, the casual Styx fan doesn't put too much thought into the fact that Styx may not have three of the classic lineup not on stage. Gowan was "good enough" for most of them. Say what you want, Styx with Gowan has done an incredible amount of dates in the past 10+ years and they couldn't do that if they didn't make someone money somewhere. That's fact.
Dennis is definitely playing live more, and I get the sense he enjoys it more now.
